Masjid al-Nabawi is the mosque built over the spot where the Islamic prophetMuhammad, used to live, built his mosque and where he is currently buried. Therefore this cemetery holds much significance. The cemetery contains many of Muhammad's relatives and companions. Many traditions relate Muhammad issuing a prayer every time he passed the cemetery.

The cemetery is also known as Jannatul Baqee ( جنة البقيع ). Its name means "The Garden of Heaven". It is also known with its old name Baqee Al Garqad. Baqee means garden or land which grew plants and Al Garqad refers to the large Lycium shawii trees (Arabian Boxthorn, in Arabic: Alaosaj), a species of Boxthorn plants.

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History

When Muhammad (s. a.) arrived at Medina from Mecca in September 622, Al-Baqi was a land covered with Lycium shawii trees.

During the construction of the Masjid al-Nabawi, Asa'ad Bin Zararah one of Muhammad's companions died. Muhammad chose the spot to be a cemetery and Asa'ad was the first individual to be buried in Al-Baqi cemetery among the Ansar.

The first enlargement of the cemetery in history was made by Muawiyah I, the first Umayyad leader. He bought the huge neighbouring farm where Uthman ibn Affan was buried inside Al-Baqi cemetery. Umayyad built the first dome in Al-Baqi over Uthman ibn Affan grave. During different times of history many domes and structures were built or rebuilt over many famous graves in Al-Baqi.

Demolished Shrines

On April 21, 1925, mausoleums in Jannatul Baqee were demolished by King Abdul Aziz Al Saud. In the same year, he also demolished the tombs of holy personalities at Jannat al-Mualla (Makkah) where Muhammad's mother, wife, grandfather and other ancestors are buried. This happened despite protest by the international Islamic community.

Destruction of sacred sites in Hijaz by the Saudis, initiated by Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab continues even today, to prevent, what some consider to be the practices of grave-worshipping and revering the deads and ask favors of the dead buried there.[1]

Many of these mausoleums, domes and structures, originally intended to identify famous companions of Muhammad, were destroyed since Salafi scholars complying with the Hadith narrated that Muhammad ordered not to cover or build structures over any grave[2][3] and in order to prevent people from seek a means of approach to Allāh (a request for blessings, in this world or for intercessions in the hereafter) or seeking the help of the dead.

Despite this, the graves of many historic figures continue to be visited by numerous pilgrims, and burials continue at the cemetery up until this day.

Many Shia continue to mourn the day that the House of Saud demolished Shrines in the Baqi cemetery. Shia remember it by calling this day Yaum e Gham, literally meaning Day of Sorrow. Shias continue to protest the Saudi government's demolition of these shrines.